Gregory DeSantis shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gregory, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
If you’ve ever seen a Service Dog out in public, there’s a whole world of work behind that moment. That calm and focused behavior takes years of training, patience, and support.
I get to be part of that process. I watch these dogs grow from wobbly puppies to reliable partners who can retrieve medicine or open doors for their handlers. I make sure they’re surrounded by consistency and care.
In addition to that, I also help build bridges between what we do and the community. I tell the stories, raise support, and help people understand how much goes into this kind of work. I’m proud to help shape the culture around it and to be part of something bigger, even if the work isn’t always seen.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Greg DeSantis! I work in Marketing and Communications for Paws for Purple Hearts, a nonprofit that provides Service Dogs and therapy programs to Veterans and active-duty Service Members.
What makes our work special is the connection that forms between a dog and a Warrior. I’m lucky to be around that process every day and to help bring it to life through storytelling, outreach, and support. A big part of my role is raising money to keep our programs running at no cost to the people we serve. I raise money, write grants, and help communicate our mission to the public in a way that’s clear, meaningful, and engaging.
It’s a unique role because I get to be involved in both the day-to-day moments and the big-picture growth. Being part of a team that’s changing lives through the power of dogs is something I’m really proud of.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom. She always knew what I needed before I said anything. She believed in me when I wasn’t sure of myself and reminded me of what I was capable of. She kept me grounded, pushed me when I needed it, and never let me forget that I had something to offer. A lot of who I am today is because she always showed me that kind of support.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to have it all figured out right away! It’s okay to not know exactly where you’re going, or to feel unsure about what the future looks like. The path you take might not look like anyone else’s, and that’s not only okay – it’s actually a strength.
You care deeply, you pay attention, and you put real thought into what you put out into the world. That’s not something you need to grow out of or tone down. Lean into it. Those qualities will become the foundation for everything you do. You already have what you need!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. A big part of my job is being public about what we do. I share our mission, tell stories, and ask for support. I couldn’t do any of that if I didn’t believe in it myself. I wouldn’t be able to look someone in the eye and talk about the impact of our work if I didn’t know it mattered.
I’m not interested in putting on a front. What you see is what you get. If I’m excited about something, I’ll talk about it. If something matters to me, I stand by it. I think people respond to that kind of consistency, and I value it in others, too.
There isn’t a different version of me behind the scenes. I care about the work, I care about the people we serve, and I try to show up with honesty and purpose every time.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I showed up. That I paid attention to the things that mattered, and put in the work to help make them better. That I cared about people and made them feel seen.
I hope they remember me as someone who believed in the value of small moments. The kind that don’t make headlines but stick with you anyway. Someone who didn’t just talk about doing good work, but actually did it.
And if they tell stories about me, I hope they’re the kind that make people laugh, feel connected, or think, “Yeah, he really cared.”
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